Hydrangea plant named ‘NCHA1’

ABSTRACT

‘NCHA1’ is a new  Hydrangea  plant particularly distinguished by having a medium-sized, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub, a unique combination of compound, corymb inflorescences with prevalent sterile flowers and rose to pink colored sepals, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Hydrangea arborescens.

Variety denomination: ‘NCHA1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea, botanically known as Hydrangea arborescens, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NCHA1’. This new Hydrangea was developed through a breeding program at Mills River, N.C. ‘NCHA1’ originated as an open pollinated (F2) seedling from H. arborescens cultivar ‘H2005-045-061’ (unpatented) that was grouped in an isolation block with full sibling plants of the same parentage.

The first asexual propagation of ‘NCHA1’ was carried out in June 2006 by rooting stem cuttings at Mills River, N.C., USA and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings in North Carolina over a two year period. ‘NCHA1’ roots readily from softwood cuttings treated with a basal dip of 2,500–4,000 ppm indole butyric acid (potassium salt) in water. ‘NCHA1’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this cultivar have been applied for. ‘NCHA1’ has not been made publicly available more than one year prior to the filing of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices at Mills River, N.C., USA.

-   -   1. Medium-sized, rounded, multi-stemmed shrub;     -   2. Rose to pink colored sepals; and     -   3. Compound, corymb inflorescences with prevalent sterile         flowers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Hydrangea plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the plant's form, foliage and inflorescences. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken on 2-year-old plants in July 2008, growing under landscape conditions in Arden, N.C.

FIG. 1 Shows the mature plant habit.

FIG. 2 Shows a close-up of the mature inflorescences.

FIG. 3 Shows the size and color ranges of mature inflorescences.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘NCHA1’. The detailed description was taken on 2-year-old plants growing under landscape conditions in Arden, N.C., in July 2008. Color references are to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), 2001 Edition.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical name.—Hydrangea arborescens.         -   Common name.—Smooth Hydrangea. -   Parentage: ‘NCHA1’ originated as an open pollinated (F2) seedling     from H. arborescens cultivar ‘H2005-045-061’ (unpatented) that was     grouped in an isolation block with full sibling plants of the same     parentage (‘Eco Pink Puff’ (unpatented)×‘H2004-006-012’     (unpatented)). -   Plant description:     -   -   Classification.—Shrub.         -   Type.—Deciduous.         -   Form.—Multi-stemmed.         -   Shape.—Rounded plant habit.         -   Usage.—Adaptable landscape shrub.         -   Height (from top of soil including inflorescences).—About             100 cm.         -   Diameter (including inflorescences).—About 100 cm.         -   Branching habit.—Freely branching with as many as 100 or             more terminal shoots per plant.         -   Shoots.—Length: 50 cm to 100 cm Diameter: 0.3 cm to 1.0 cm             Internode length: 5 cm to 15 cm Texture: Glabrous Color: RHS             146C.         -   Time to produce a finished plant having inflorescences.—3             months to 6 months.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—3 weeks to 4 weeks. -   Leaves:     -   -   Form.—Simple.         -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Number.—10 to 25 leaves per shoot.         -   Length.—6 cm to 10 cm.         -   Width.—5 cm to 8 cm.         -   Shape.—Broadly ovate.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Cordate to rounded         -   Margin.—Dentate to serrate.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate, opposite to sub-opposite.         -   Venation color (both surfaces).—RHS 191 B.         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Glabrous Lower surface: Slightly             pubescent.         -   Immature leaf color in summer.—Upper surface: RHS 138A Lower             surface: RHS 138B.         -   Mature leaf color in summer.—Upper surface: RHS 139A Lower             surface: RHS 138A.         -   Petioles.—Length: 1.5 cm to 4 cm Diameter: 0.2 cm Color:             Upper surface: RHS 181B Lower surface: RHS 146C. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Appearance or form.—Fertile (approximately 600) and sterile             flowers (approximately 600) arranged on individual             hemispherical or dome-shaped terminal, compound corymbs.         -   Corymb.—Diameter: 8 cm to 20 cm Height: 5 cm to 12 cm             Season: Continuously flowering from late May to early August             in Arden, N.C. Quantity: Often 100 or more corymbs per plant             over the summer Longevity: Individual corymbs are showy for             approximately 4 weeks.         -   Sterile flowers.—Petals, pistils, and stamens are greatly             reduced (<0.5 mm) and insignificant Buds: Shape: Round             Diameter: 0.1 cm to 0.2 cm Color: RHS 187C Sepals: Number: 2             to 4 Length: 0.5 cm to 0.7 cm Width: 0.3 cm to 0.5 cm Shape:             Lanceolate to oval Apex: Acute Base: Attenuate Margin:             Entire Texture: Smooth/glabrous Color (when expanding, both             surfaces): RHS 187C Color (when fully expanded, both             surfaces): Ranges from RHS 68D to RHS 68C, and from RHS N66D             to RHS N66C.         -   Fertile flowers.—Sepals and petals are greatly reduced             (<0.5 mm) and insignificant Buds: Shape: Round Diameter: 0.1             cm to 0.2 cm Color: RHS 186B Flower size: Width: 0.1 cm to             0.2 cm Height: 0.2 cm to 0.3 cm. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Pistils.—2, fused Color: RHS 155B throughout Length: 0.2 cm             Stigma: Blunt Stigma diameter: 0.025 cm Style length: 0.1 cm             Ovary shape: Rounded Ovary diameter: 0.1 cm.         -   Stamens.—Number: 10 Anther: Shape: Rounded, fusiform Length:             0.025 cm long Color: RHS 158D Filament length: 0.2 cm             Filament color: RHS 155B Pollen: Scarce. -   Fruit/seed set: Seeds are minute, dust-like. -   Disease and insect resistance: No significant disease or insect     pests have been observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND KNOWN CULTIVAR

‘NCHA1’ is distinguished from cultivar ‘H2005-045-061’ by having a compound, corymb inflorescence with prevalent sterile florets.

‘NCHA1’ has a unique combination of compound, corymb inflorescences with around 600 prevalent sterile flowers and rose to pink colored sepals not found in other known commercial cultivars of Hydrangea arborescens. Table 1 shows comparisons between ‘NCHA1’ and two other commercial hydrangea cultivars, ‘Annabelle’ (unpatented) and ‘Eco Pink Puff’ (unpatented).

TABLE 1 COMPARSION TO COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS ‘Eco Characteristic ‘NCHA1’ ‘Annabelle’ Pink Puff’ Inflorescence 8 cm to 20 cm 26 cm to 6 cm to corymb diameter 32 cm 10 cm Inflorescence 5 cm to 12 cm 22 cm to 2 cm to corymb height 26 cm 6 cm Sterile flowers 600 1,650 0 to 4 number per corymb Mature sepal color Rose to pink (RHS Ivory Pale Pink when fully 68D to RHS 68C (RHS (RHS expanded and RHS N66D to 155C) 69C) RHS N66C) 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Hydrangea plant as shown and described herein. 